Answer Man: Will Robinwood Lake open this summer?

Gazette file photo of diver at Robinwood Lake.

By Kevin Ellis

Published: Monday, June 16, 2014 at 11:43 AM.

This week’s column has some sad news about a summertime institution in Gastonia.

For the second straight summer, Robinwood Lake will remain closed for swimming and fishing to the general public, says Jonathan Sams, caretaker and co-facility director for Robinwood Lake and Swim Club.

Robinwood Lake has been one of Gastonia’s favorite summer hangouts for decades, with its locally famous tower for jumping in the water, its slide for children and the generations of fish stories.

But its status has remained in limbo since the death of owner Sloan Robinson.

Robinson, who was 78, died in a tractor accident while cutting kudzu near the lake in October 2012.

But owners of Robinwood Lake do hope to re-open to the public at some point, Sams said.

“Robinwood will open back up. We are not closings the doors,” Sams wrote in a message. “Bear with us as we go through this transition period.”

This week’s column has some sad news about a summertime institution in Gastonia.

For the second straight summer, Robinwood Lake will remain closed for swimming and fishing to the general public, says Jonathan Sams, caretaker and co-facility director for Robinwood Lake and Swim Club.

Robinwood Lake has been one of Gastonia’s favorite summer hangouts for decades, with its locally famous tower for jumping in the water, its slide for children and the generations of fish stories.

But its status has remained in limbo since the death of owner Sloan Robinson.

Robinson, who was 78, died in a tractor accident while cutting kudzu near the lake in October 2012.

But owners of Robinwood Lake do hope to re-open to the public at some point, Sams said.

“Robinwood will open back up. We are not closings the doors,” Sams wrote in a message. “Bear with us as we go through this transition period.”

Those who have enjoyed the lake in the past will be able to enjoy it again in the future, Sams wrote, but the timing remains in doubt.

“We do miss our members,” Sams said.

Robinwood Lake has been serving Gaston County since 1947.

Have a community question? Send it to Online Editor Kevin Ellis at kellis@gastongazette.com, or call 704-869-1823.